On October 13th Parker, JJ, Matthew and Ryan said goodbye to their Mother, partner and best friend – the leader of their home and family life.
Melissa took on cancer like she faced each obstacle in her world, with intelligence, bravery and an unwavering compassion for others. Above all, Melissa placed our family first. She navigated each difficult decision by thinking what is best for the people I love. Her passions were spending time with our three amazing boys, building our family and supporting the community. Melissa hoped all families could have the opportunities for comfort and happiness we experienced every day and brought her special talents, sense of fairness and compassion into any situation where she believed social justice was in question.
Melissa was a city planner and later an activist. She had a strong sense of right and wrong with an unwavering commitment to equality. She made herself available to those in need and worked to understand complex issues, helping resolve problems for the betterment of the communities she served. Melissa believed deeply in collaboration and was proud to be part of keeping Lake Tahoe clean, building strong communities in Shoreview, bringing new opportunities to Woodbury, and building bike trails and protecting students in Stillwater.
Melissa began her life in Staunton, Virginia, daughter to Charlie and Mary Jane Joyce, as well as little sister to Rebecca. Melissa would first venture out on her own, at age 17, as a National Merit Scholar, to pursue higher education at American University in Washington DC. She later relocated to San Francisco and completed a degree with highest honors and departmental citation in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from University of California at Davis. Melissa benefited from educational scholarships which inspired her to support merit-based student advancement programs. She believed education was the key to social equality and a fundamental right for all.
We are saddened now by the loss of her physical presences – but remember her last words to us – love transcends time and space – I will love you all from where ever I am and as whatever I might be.
She wanted to remind all her friends and coworkers to remain diligent in the face of injustice, trust in the system and devote energy to those places where you can effect change.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Scholarship America National Fund. https://donations.scholarshipamerica.org/index.php.
Condolences may be offered to the family below
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Maria, Joe, Freddy, and Christine
We are so very sorry to hear about the loss of Melissa. We will always have her in our thoughts and she was a special part of living in Staunton.